Before facing Cardinals, half of 49ers take knee during national anthem
Oct 1, 2017, 1:27 PM | Updated: 1:39 pm
Together pic.twitter.com/PwKDagudCq
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 1, 2017
Half of the San Francisco 49ers took a knee during the national anthem before their game against the Arizona Cardinals in a show of unity. The other half stood.
Because the 49ers played on Thursday last week, this was their first game since President Donald Trump criticized NFL players for not standing during the anthem.
Just before anthem, San Francisco’s players lined up in two rows, those in the front kneeling, those in the back standing. Most of the standing players had their hands on their hearts and the other on the shoulder of their teammate in front.
The team released a statement on the decision to allow protests.
A statement from the players, coaches, ownership and staff of the San Francisco #49ers pic.twitter.com/Rs2XCOiUeO
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 1, 2017
San Francisco was the epicenter for such displays during the anthem last year when former quarterback Colin Kaepernick started it in response to police brutality and racial injustice.
Arizona was in the spotlight due to the anthem protests when it hosted Dallas on Monday, and the Cowboys collectively kneeled prior to the playing of the anthem.
Both the Cowboys and Cardinals locked arms during the anthem.
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